Brake Failure
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,621
Likes: 206
From: Orlando FL
I have just recently just done some tests on boosters on the vette and some other of my cars also. You can believe the difference in braking when the booster gets no vacuum or has catastrophic failure. If performs nothing like a weak or leaky booster, I have had them.
If the booster has no vacuum or fails there are almost no brakes and I was ready for this situation, I set it up. You could not drive in traffic. If it caught you by surprise and it failed big time, you would not have the reaction time to use both feet and all your power to stop the car. When I set it up I was ready and was really surprised at the drastic difference in performance.
If the booster has no vacuum or fails there are almost no brakes and I was ready for this situation, I set it up. You could not drive in traffic. If it caught you by surprise and it failed big time, you would not have the reaction time to use both feet and all your power to stop the car. When I set it up I was ready and was really surprised at the drastic difference in performance.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,845
Likes: 30
Originally Posted by pcolt94
I have just recently just done some tests on boosters on the vette and some other of my cars also. You can believe the difference in braking when the booster gets no vacuum or has catastrophic failure. If performs nothing like a weak or leaky booster, I have had them.
If the booster has no vacuum or fails there are almost no brakes and I was ready for this situation, I set it up. You could not drive in traffic. If it caught you by surprise and it failed big time, you would not have the reaction time to use both feet and all your power to stop the car. When I set it up I was ready and was really surprised at the drastic difference in performance.
If the booster has no vacuum or fails there are almost no brakes and I was ready for this situation, I set it up. You could not drive in traffic. If it caught you by surprise and it failed big time, you would not have the reaction time to use both feet and all your power to stop the car. When I set it up I was ready and was really surprised at the drastic difference in performance.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Originally Posted by Davesvette94
The knee was just part of it 
I spent 2 days in Shock Trauma. Broken Left arm (plates, pins & screws), Fractured Sternum & several right side ribs (from belts), Face looked like I made George Foreman mad (airbag).
The good news is: I'm still here. The car did her job!! She crushed where she was supposed to, bags & belts did their job. The low seating position saved me from head injuries.
This car went over a 50-100' cliff, then collided head on with mother earth and flipped on its roof. In a lesser car and without the help of the MAN ABOVE
I wouldn't be here!
I spent 2 days in Shock Trauma. Broken Left arm (plates, pins & screws), Fractured Sternum & several right side ribs (from belts), Face looked like I made George Foreman mad (airbag). The good news is: I'm still here. The car did her job!! She crushed where she was supposed to, bags & belts did their job. The low seating position saved me from head injuries.
This car went over a 50-100' cliff, then collided head on with mother earth and flipped on its roof. In a lesser car and without the help of the MAN ABOVE
I wouldn't be here!
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 9,933
Likes: 103
From: Peoria Arizona.. Resident Gold Cylon
re:Yikes
Originally Posted by LT4CompYell
Holy crap! it gets worse?? off a 50-100 foot cliff? my god. you are one lucky person to be able to post, at all!
Now thats plain ugly, glad to see your still around.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 96,443
Likes: 9
From: Fort Knox, KY
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Originally Posted by LT4CompYell
Holy crap! it gets worse?? off a 50-100 foot cliff? my god. you are one lucky person to be able to post, at all!
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
Dave - get a pro to check your car... he needs to test the boosters capacity to hold vacuum.
We here on the forum are well aware of this on-going problem with the C4 vacuum boosters, and from my perspective, it's inexcusable.
If the booster has failed, then report it to the NHTSA. If enough people are forced into complaining, then perhaps something will be done about this.
We here on the forum are well aware of this on-going problem with the C4 vacuum boosters, and from my perspective, it's inexcusable.
If the booster has failed, then report it to the NHTSA. If enough people are forced into complaining, then perhaps something will be done about this.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
Originally Posted by Kinkajou
What basic tests would someone sugest to try diferentiate from a master cylinder failure or a booster failure?
When a master cylinder fails, it loses all internal pressure. The pedal falls to the floor.
When a booster fails, it loses all internal pressure... and the pedal barely moves.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
